When rules are relaxed, will I be able to visit my dad in hospital?

[AmberGer]

Will hospitals allow visitors again?
Will I be able to speak to nurses or doctors about what's his diagnosis/ prognosis? Because at the moment I can do neither.
No one ever answers the phone and on the rare occasion they do, they will go to find someone caring for dad, put me on hold, then hang up on me.
Dad is very confused, keeps forgetting who we are, hasn't charged his phone.
I just want to find out.
As it's not 'end of life' we're not allowed to see him.
Does anyone know if this changes when restrictions end? Or if hospitals can still enforce their own rules?
It's very frustrating and stressful.

Complain to PALS about how you’re not getting any information.

It will be up to the hospital. So probably not, no.

I'm really sorry, I went through the same last year. When the government are there telling everyone life is back to normal, but it's far from that for you, it feels like they're sticking two fingers up at you.

I hope you get some better news soon.

This is happening a lot still and people are being harmed as a result (just researched it at local hospitals and have heard eye watering stories). Personally I’d be going in hard.

Have you seen the hospital visiting policy?

Do they have a ‘carers passport’ scheme? How does the hospital recognise carers?

Even if your dad is usually fully independent, can you as a family between you designate one person to be his carer while he’s there - handle communications/visits if allowed, and push for them to have carer/visiting status?

Also contact PALS and/or put in a formal complaint/concern for your father’s safety given the hospital’s unwillingness to communicate effectively with his carers.

Each trust sets its own rules. Ask pals to arrange a call with the doctor reviewing his case. They may allow a visit if it might help his cooperation and alertness.

I don't think hospitals will change for months. It took us 20 months to allow a second parent to visit for two hours.

I’m a doctor. I don’t think hospitals will completely relax their policies . Mask wearing is still compulsory for example.
But it’s appalling that you haven’t spoken to anyone .
When I am the ward consultant , if I have a vulnerable patient or someone who has been very ill i proactively phone NOK to update them.

Complain to PALS if your calls have not been returned.

Hi, I would push to see him & keep a paper trail. I say this with hindsight, as I wish I’d done this.

My dad was admitted in January for something relatively straightforward. They were so short staffed, his care was negligible; some nurses refused to get him out of bed as it wasn’t their job apparently. As a result, he was pretty much bed-bound, and two weeks later when he was discharged he couldn’t walk without a Zimmer frame (walked fine before). Consequently he was deemed unfit for further treatment, and is now a shadow of his former self.

Fight to see your dad & don’t be fobbed off, is my advice.